A MAN died after his car left the eastbound carriageway on the A690 at Houghton-le-Spring earlier today.

Emergency services were called at about 11.25am to the scene of the crash near Houghton Cut.

He was the sole occupant of the black Ford Fiesta and received medical treatment but was declared dead at the scene.

Inquiries into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing and police are now appealing for any witnesses to get in touch.

Sergeant Dave Roberts of Northumbria Police's Motor Patrols Department, said: "This is a serious collision that has sadly led to the death of the driver.

"We are continuing to carry out inquiries to establish exactly what has happened and need any witnesses to come forward.

"If you were in the area and saw what happened, or saw the vehicle involved in the minutes before the crash, or has any dashcam footage, is asked to call us."

The A690 was closed eastbound at the bottom of Houghton Cut as a result of the collision with traffic being diverted from the A690 onto the A182.

The road was also closed westbound for a short period of time to allow for the recovery of the vehicle.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 356 16/08/19 or report it online at the Northumbria Police website.